Al tirah! Have no fear!

As a one-sided narrative grips the world, a generation is being taught false history, and our staunchest defenders are concerned with the polls, how can we not be afraid?

There is a “secret mantra” we have been using for thousands of years: “Al Tirah” Have no fear!

When the Jews stand before a raging sea, Hashem says, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

As we are about to enter the land of Israel, we are told: “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22)

And famously, we echo the words of King David: “Even when I walk in the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil, for You are with me..” (Psalm 23)

Throughout the generations, “Al Tirah” – have no fear was one of the first things a child was taught. When the Baal Shem Tov was only five years old, his father called him to his deathbed and said: “Yisrolik, have no fear of anything, only of God Alone. And love every Jew with the entire depth of your heart.”

Gradually, the education continued to explain that Hashem is with us, and our maker carries us. He who made us continues to sustain us.

The Midrash relates that as soon as Haman’s decree of genocide was sealed, Mordechai followed three children coming from their studies:

Upon reaching the children he asked them, “Recite for me your verse you were taught today.”

The first child replied, “Do not fear sudden terror nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes.” (Proverbs 3:25)

Said the second child, “I read today, and with this verse, I left school, ‘Devise a plot, but it will be foiled, speak a word, but it will not stand, for Hashem is with us.’” (Isaiah 8:10)

The third child answered, “Until your old age, I am unchanged, and until your hoary years, I will carry you; I made you, and I will bear you, I will carry you, and I will deliver you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

When Mordechai heard this, he laughed and was overjoyed. Mordechai was heartened knowing that when in a single moment the entire world became unsafe and unwelcoming to the Jew, children were still taking home the message “Al Tirah”, Have no fear for Hashem is with us.

Indeed, he was. Happy Purim.

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I encourage you to include the Al Tirah “Have no Fear” prayer to your daily regiment. It takes 42 seconds and creates a mind-shift. The prayer and melody is linked here